THE UCHIHA ASCENSION

Uchiha Kiyo walked through the streets of Konoha, observing the village's prosperity.

On the trees lining both sides of the road, leaves had begun to fall—late autumn had arrived. While Konoha never experienced snowfall, it still had distinct seasons. Winter temperatures never dropped below freezing, but they often remained below ten degrees—cold, yet not unbearably so.

Kiyo didn't want to waste too much time outside. Today marked the beginning of his real cultivation training, and he was eager to test his progress.

The development of his self-cultivation technique had demanded an immense amount of effort. While he had only been refining chakra for a little over five months, the planning behind his secret technique had spanned far longer. For the four years before he turned six, he had been theorizing and refining ideas, though he couldn't apply them without access to chakra. Still, after countless revisions and considerations, he had managed to develop the technique in just a few months once he started practicing.

After investing so much effort, Kiyo was naturally filled with anticipation.

Beyond the promise of extending his lifespan, his technique resolved the issue of chakra wearing down the body. If successful, it could extend his prime as a shinobi by at least ten to twenty years. Even if his growth slowed later, preventing him from reaching super-Kage or even Six Paths levels before the main storyline began, he would at least be in peak condition when events unfolded. That alone would allow him to take advantage of the many opportunities the plot would bring.

That said, Kiyo had confidence in himself. With thirty years until the plot began, if he didn't manage to shake things up, he would be a disgrace to transmigrators everywhere.

Lost in thought, Kiyo barely noticed the scenery passing by.

"Should I start practicing medical ninjutsu? I also need to perfect my clone technique. I should start preparing now."

As he lowered his head, deep in contemplation, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Hey, Kiyo! What are you doing here? Just got out of school?"

Up ahead, Nawaki walked alongside three older shinobi, all around eighteen years old.

Nawaki looked surprised as his gaze fell on the schoolbag slung over Kiyo's shoulder.

"Ah, Nawaki. Yeah, I just left school. What about you?"

Kiyo raised his head and responded before shifting his gaze toward the three ninjas standing beside Nawaki.

A tall man with white hair, a black-haired shinobi with pale skin and snake-like eyes, and a blonde kunoichi with her long hair tied into a ponytail—her sharp demeanor exuding confidence.

"Wait… These three…"

Recognition dawned on him.

"The future Sannin?"

Kiyo looked toward Nawaki, waiting for an introduction.

Tsunade's eyes briefly narrowed when she saw the Uchiha crest on Kiyo's clothes. However, after noticing her younger brother's attitude toward him, her expression softened.

"He's just a kid," she thought. No matter how mature he seemed, Kiyo was only six years old.

"This must be your classmate, Kiyo Uchiha?" Tsunade asked, her tone more of a statement than a question.

Nawaki, ever the energetic one, finally remembered to introduce both sides.

"Ah, right! This is Kiyo Uchiha, my roommate. He's always either training or reading—I have no idea what he's thinking. But he knows everything! No matter what I ask, he always answers without hesitation."

Hearing Nawaki's description, Kiyo twitched slightly.

"What do you mean 'like he always knows the answer'? Be confident—remove 'like.' I do know the answer, okay?"

Tsunade, meanwhile, had a rough idea of the kind of questions her brother would ask. She sighed internally.

"My foolish little brother… The things you ask don't even require thinking to answer."

Still, now that she understood the situation, she was no longer hostile toward Kiyo. If he had been helping Nawaki improve, then he wasn't someone to be viewed with malice—Uchiha or not.

Nawaki continued the introductions.

"Kiyo, this is my sister, Tsunade. Don't be fooled by her looks—she's a full-fledged Jonin! The white-haired guy over there, who looks kinda pervy, is Jiraiya. He may seem like an old man, but he's actually only eighteen. And this is Orochimaru. Both he and Jiraiya are also Jonin, and all three of them are students of the Third Hokage!"

Nawaki was straightforward with his words, teasing Jiraiya while being more careful when introducing Orochimaru.

Jiraiya nearly lost his temper.

"Oi! What do you mean by 'looks kinda pervy'?! Explain yourself!"

However, with Tsunade standing next to him, Jiraiya wisely chose not to retaliate against Nawaki.

Meanwhile, the three Sannin observed Kiyo's response.

To their satisfaction, Kiyo was neither overly submissive nor arrogant. He bowed politely to his seniors.

"Hey, Kiyo, you just got out of school, right? You must be hungry! We're heading for some barbecue—why don't you come along?" Nawaki offered.

Before Kiyo could refuse, Orochimaru spoke up.

"Yes, as Nawaki's friend, Kiyo-kun should join us. Besides… I find you quite interesting."

As he spoke, Orochimaru flicked out his tongue, licking the corner of his mouth.

Tsunade and Jiraiya were unfazed by the gesture, but both Nawaki and Kiyo involuntarily shuddered. Kiyo felt as though a venomous snake had locked its gaze onto him.

Since Orochimaru had extended an invitation, Kiyo didn't dare refuse. He agreed.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged curious glances. Orochimaru had high standards for people he found interesting—this level of direct interest was unusual.

Orochimaru, however, offered no explanation. He had already heard about Kiyo's situation from the Hokage's office and was intrigued by his personality. Since they had crossed paths, he saw no reason not to study him further.

And so, the four of them set off toward the barbecue restaurant.

Throughout the walk, Tsunade kept questioning Kiyo, while Jiraiya and Orochimaru listened intently.

Kiyo answered carefully, but he was also analyzing their intent behind each question.

Orochimaru, in particular, seemed to enjoy Kiyo's responses. His way of thinking and logical approach to things caught Orochimaru's interest.

Kiyo had no idea what had drawn Orochimaru's attention, but he knew he couldn't change his behavior too drastically now—it would be too suspicious.

Besides, attracting Orochimaru's attention wasn't entirely bad. If he gained some level of association with him, it could deter unnecessary hostility from both Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha clan. After all, neither side openly antagonized Orochimaru.

"Also… wasn't Nawaki supposed to be Orochimaru's disciple in the original timeline? If things stay on this path, won't I also end up under his tutelage?"

As they arrived at the restaurant, Kiyo considered the implications of this development.

The group entered a well-known establishment run by the Akimichi clan. The meat, sourced from wild game rather than farm-raised livestock, was both highly nutritious and expensive.

Kiyo, who only had an 8,000-ryō monthly allowance, had never eaten here before. But since he was being treated today, he made sure to eat his fill.

To the shock of the others, Kiyo matched an adult's appetite with ease.

Leaning back in his chair, satisfied, Kiyo sighed in contentment.

"If only I had mastered my self-cultivation technique already. I could have converted all this food into chakra and strengthened my body even more."

Still, he reminded himself not to be greedy.

At the end of the meal, Jiraiya footed the bill. Kiyo was briefly surprised—he hadn't expected Jiraiya to have such deep pockets.

After parting ways with the Sannin and Nawaki, Kiyo returned home, his mind already planning his next steps.